Why Most Commercial Vehicles Are White

You may have noticed it while shopping for a new work truck or van. Maybe it’s an observation you’ve made on the road or at the job site. Though it may not be something you’ve put much thought into, it’s something you’ll notice now. An overwhelming majority of commercial vehicles are white. Though other color options are available, why does white seem to be the default color for fleet and commercial vehicles?

Among several reasons, cost efficiency plays an important role in the painting process for manufacturers. Companies often use an additive known as titanium dioxide, a pigment that is both cost-effective and provides a vibrant white, opaque finish.

White fleet vehicles allow for easier display of graphics such as logos or text as the white background offers a nice contrast to any color, making your branding stand out. White also makes objects appear larger, giving the vehicle more visibility to other motorists and pedestrians, increasing safety for the driver and those in the vicinity. The color is also notable for its ability to fade less quickly than others over time.

Also the most light reflective color, white keeps the vehicle itself and the contents inside (such as electronics or other equipment that may be sensitive to heat) cooler, whereas vehicles with dark paint tend to attract more heat. During the summer season or in geographic areas that are prone to higher temperatures, the need to utilize the vehicle’s air conditioning increases, subsequently having a negative impact on your fuel efficiency.

Painting these vehicles white not only assists in keeping costs low for the manufacturer, the benefits are passed on to the owner/operator in a variety of different ways, including lower purchase costs and increased efficiencies.

Finally, and possibly most importantly, keeping your fleet free of custom colors will make it easier to procure chassis in tight economic environments. You need to find a balance between branding and convenience, but, as we said earlier, your branding can be added later.